Prime controller for automatic or partly-automatic musical instruments.



C. ,if S TODDARD. PRIME CONTROLLER FOB AUTOMATiC OR PARTLY AUTOMATIC MUSICAL iNSHUMENTS.

RENEWD JULY11.1918.

APFLICATiN FILED NOV. 4, 191|.

Patented Peb. '18, 1919.

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CHARLES'F. sTonDARn, or BosToN, MASSACHUSETTS.

PRIME CONTROLLER FOR AUTOMATIC OR PARTLY-AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent." Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

Application filed November 4, 1911, Serial No. 658,477. Renewed July 11, 1918. Serial No. 244,490.

To @ZZ whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. STODDARD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, county of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Prime Controllers for Automatic or Partly-Automatic Musical Instruments, of which the following description, in connection with theaccompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings 'representing like parts.

This invention relates to musical instruments which are operated wholly or partly automatically through a prime controller, such, for instance, as a perforated note sheet.

An important object of the invention is to provide a means and a method for producing upon Such an instrument the socalled singing tone7 effect which is a highly refined and peculiarly beautiful effect characterizing some of the performances of the most eminent artists. Many attempts have been made in the art to produce wholly or partly automatically, or to enable an operator to produce ,by following appropriate instructions in controlling a partly automatic instrument, the beauties and refinements which have distinguished the manual playing of artists from the productions of mechanical appliances. For instance, it has been attempted to imitate automatically, or to enable an operator to imitate, the varying gradations in the loudness and softness of playing which are produced manually, and to imitate the variations in tempo which ycontribute so largely to the beauty ,of manual rendition. Also, legato effects have been imitated with some success by appropriately relating successive perforations of a note sheet, the notes of which are intended to be played legato. The present invention contributes to the art a refinement which is radically different from any which hitherto has been attempted to be attained; and while this invention may be utilized advantageously in conjunction with other refinements, such as those above referred to, the

invention, in and of itself, provides for the production by automatic or partly automatic means, of one of the highest and most elusive refinements of rendition which only comparatively few of even the greatest artists are able to achieve manually.

Generally speaking, the so-called singing tone effect is produced by prolonging or continuing accompaniment harmonies through a plurality of successive theme harmonies in-such a manner as to provide a substantially sustained, accompaniment background, so; to speak, of a peculiar singing quality and perhaps of augmented volume. The combined effects of this character of accompaniment and the contrasting theme contribute a very beautiful quality to the rendition. In providing for the production of this singing tone upon wholly'or-partly automatic instruments, thepresent invention Vopens a wide and altogether .unique field of improvement in'mechanical playing.

The invention will be described, for purposes of illustration, by reference to the art of player pianos such as are controlled by means of perforated note sheets. While it is not intended to limit the application of the invention to that specific art, the illustration will suiiice to exemplify and to indicate to those skilled in the art the general character and utility of the invention.

The usual playerl piano comprises a loud or damper pedal mechanism by which the dampers of all or nearly all the strings are simultaneously removed from or applied to the strings. By such a mechanism the dampers may be held oif the strings so that any then sounding note will be sustained as will also the sympathetic vibrations of other strings. There are known variations of the mode of operation just described but they are immaterial to the present discussion and the well known type of damper pedal mechanism suflices to exemplify what will be referred to, generically, hereinafter as auX- iliary note sustaining meansauxiliary in the sense that the damper pedal mechanism or che like performs in general a sustaining function similar to that performed for each note by that part of its'individual action which holds the string undamped so long as the actuating key is held depressed or an equivalent operation is performed elsewhere in the action. Y f f Such a damper pedal mechanism may be controlled, as already known in the art, by means of a perforated note sheet traversing a tracker having appropriate vents. There are various known arrangements of perforations by which the note sheet may cause the dampers to be withdrawn from or returned to the strings.

The accompanying drawing shows at the left hand margin of the illustrative sheet,

one practicable form of sustaining perforations to operate, for example, a loud or damper pedal mechanism. As illustrated, these sustaining perforations 7 consist each of a series of substantially circular perforations separated by narrow bridges, each such series having the function and effect of one long continuous perforation, the bridges serving merely to strengthen the paper and to avoid the difliculties encountered when long-perforations are used, as well understood in the art. Any of the known equivalent arrangements of perforations for applying and withdrawing the dampers maybe employed within the scope of this invention. If a note sheet such as that diagrammed were used upon a player piano, for instance,

4having no tracker vent for controlling the loud or damper pedal mechanism, leaving the latter to be controlled manually, or by a edal, the sustaining perforations A6, 12, and 21 of the drawings would then serve as indications to the operator instructing'him to withdraw the dampers from the strings when the advance end of a series of the circular perforations reaches the tracker, and to return the dampers to the strings when the rear end of v a series reaches the tracker. Thus, it will be possible to practice the invention by only partly automatic means, having pedal operating perforations or the like replaced by instructive indications of the proper manner of operating the dampers.

The manner in which the invention may be practised by means of the illustrative note sheet of the drawing when used, forexample, upon a player piano, will be next described.

The note sheet represented in the drawing is assumed to be perforated for playing a certain composition; and the note perforations 1, 2, I3, 4, etc., indicated by the full lines, are those perforations which would be eut in the usual note sheet according to the accustomed practice which prevailed prior to this invention. The prolongations or extensions of the full line perforations, indicated by tlie dotted lines, exemplify, as presently described more fully, changes in the cutting of the ordinary note sheet which are made to suit the objects of this invention.

The perforations l, 2, 3, and 4, are assumed to be for accompaniment notes which are in harmony with the theme note of perforation 5, a note of long duration as represented by the length of its perforation. To contribute to the singing tone effect, it is desired that the accompaniment background be Isustained for substantially the duration of the theme note 5; and this is effected, in the illustrative example, by the sustaining perforation 6 which (when the note sheet is used on a player piano, for instance) holds the strings undamped throughout the length of the perforation 6. -Tlius,.the harmony of the accompaniment notes l, 2, 3, and 4, is sustained, regardless of the normal or usual length of the perforations l, 2, 3 and 4.

The note of perforation 3 is repeated by the perforation 3a which, in a player piano for instance, merely repeats the percussion of the appropriate string to suit the particular composition being played; and that repeated percussion takes place while the original note soun-ded by the perforation 3 is still-being sustained by the perforation 6. After the perforation 3L has terminated, its note is prolonged throughout the remaining length of the perforation 6. In this manner, the tone initially sounded by the perforation3 is continued throughout the length of the perforation 6, to contribute continuously tothe accompaniment background for the theme note 5, the renewed sounding of the note by the perforation 3a occurring at the proper time to suit the composition to be played.

Similarly, the note of the perforation 2 is sounded again by the perforation 2a; and the note of perforation l is sounded again by the perforation la. The entire accompaniment harmony for the first group of notes, as initiated by the perforations 1, 2, -3 and 4, is thus continued throughout the length of the sustaining perforation 6 which extends nearly to the length of the theme note 5.

Just before the theme note 5 terminates,

however, a second theme note is sounded by the perforation 7 and the latter, it is assumed for illustration, would not be in harmony with the accompaniment note sounded by the perforations 3 and 3a. It is desired, therefore, to terminate the accompaniment note of the perforation 31 before the theme note 7 is sounded and for this purpose the sustaining perforation G is terminated in such relation to the advance end of the theme note perforation 7 asto avoid a discord.

It is further assumed, for illustration, that the theme note 7 is in harmony with the accompaniment notes sounded by the pei'- forations 1, la, 2, 2a and 4; and to produce the desired singing tone effect all these notes may be continued, preferably without interruption, from the first group of notes into the second where they augment very desirably the accompaniment for the theme note 7. The necessity for terminating the sounding of the accompaniment note of the perforation 3a would have the effect, with the normal cutting of note perforations in-` dicated in full lines, of terminating also the notes sounded by the perforations 2a and 4; and in order to prolong the sounding of the notes 2a and 4, their perforations are suitably extended, for instance as illustrated by the dotted lines 2X and 4X, so as to continue their notesinto the second group to contribute to the accompaniment background of the theme note 7. rlhe normal vlength of the perforation 1a suffices to sustain its note as desired. By now utilizing the sustaining perforation 12, the harmony of the notes sounded respectively by the perforations la,

a* X, and 4X may be further sustained for any desired duration. According to the normal cutting of the note sheet to suit the composition being played, the note of the perforation 4-'4X is resounded by the perforation 4b; the note of the perforation 21- X is resounded twice by the perforations 2b and 2c in succession; but the renewed sounding of these notes occurs while the notes are being sustained and while they are contributing to the continued singing accompaniment effect.

A new note is introduced into the accompaniment by a perforation 10, that note being sustained, even after the perforation 10 terminates, by the sustaining perforation 12, and being repeated by the perforation 10a. Also, a new accompaniment note is introduced by the perforation 11.

The neXt following theme note sounded by the perforation9 is assumed to be a `note which would create a discord with all previously played accompaniment notes except those sounded by the perforations 10a and 11; and it is therefore desired to terminate all of the discordant accompaniment notes in suitable relation to the beginning of the note 9. Therefore, the sustaining perforation 12 is terminated at a proper point to avoid the discord while the perforation 10a is eX- tended, as by the prolongation 10", in order to sustain its note after the other notes have ceased to sound. The normal length of the perforation 11 suiiices to serve the same purpose of continuing its note. These two notes, 10a-10X and 11, are further sustained, even after their respective perforations have terminated, by the sustaining perforation 21, so that the harmony of the two notes is continued during the sounding of the note 9 and throughout the perforation 21. New accom paniment notes 13, 14 and 15 are played during the sounding of the theme note 9; and they are likewise sustained by the perforation 21. The note of perforation 101--10X is twice resounded by the perforations 101J and 10C; the note of perforation 14 is resounded by the perforation 14a; and the note of perforation 13 is resounded by the perforation 13a; all to suit the composition to be played. As in the other cases already discussed, the resounding of these notes occurs while the notes are still being sustained. The eii'ect of the described illustrative arrangement of perforations may be best appreciated by comparing the volume and harmony of successive accompaniment groups arranged as described, with the effects which would be produced by the normal cutting of the note perforations as indicated by the full lines in the drawing. For instance, in. the usual Y duration of the note 7 and until the note was resounded by the perforation 4b. With the 80 described arrangement, however', the note initiated by the perforation 4 is sustained continuously throughout the playing of the theme note 5 and of the theme note 7, until the sustaining perforation 12 terminates. Similarly, the note of perforation 2a is car ried from the first accompaniment gro-up over to the second group and there sustained The same is true of the note of perforation 10a, as sustained by the extension 10X and the sustaining perforation 21. Y

The foregoing will suiice to indicate to those skilled in the art one of the ways in which this invention may be applied in practice, i. e. by appropriately designing and constructing a note sheet or the like so as t,o` produce the singing tone effect. Such a note sheet as the one described may be made by reference to either an ordinary musical score or the record of a performance by a pianist; the' characteristics of the illustrative note sheet above described being supplied wholly or partly by editing, as it were, or revising the note sheet in accordance with the singing tone effect desired to be secured. In the ordinary preparation of a note sheet from a score or record, as this has been done heretofore, the lengths of the note perforations have been made accurately proportional to the time values of the notes indicated by the score or record. For the purpose ofsecuring` legato effects this practice has been varied somewhat by adding a slight increment of length to the rear end of each perforation, but that being for a purpose entirely foreign to that of the present invention, it is here immaterial. The added increment of length for the legato effect is too minute to be compara-ble to the abnormal eX- tension or prolongation of perforations such as hereinbefore described; and the two produce results which are altogether different in kind. In the practice of this invention in connection with the note sheet, the time values of the notes indicated by the score or record are in some instances practically disregarded, as for instance, in the case of the perforation 4 4 shown in the drawing, it being assumed that the perforation 4 itself would be accurately representative of the time value of the note as indicated by the score or record. Thus, it may be said that the perforation d-ix is abnormally extended,7 and this expression will be employed for brevity in the claims to designate note perforations or other controlling elements which have extended or prolonged operative eifects beyond the durations indicated for the respective notes by the score or record.

Likewise, for brevity, the expression abnormally sustained, and variations thereof, will be used to designate generically the sustaining of notes beyond the respective durations indicated therefor by the musical score or record by reference to which the note sheet is made. For instance, the note of perforation l is abnormally sustained by the sustaining` perforation 6; and the note of perforation 4i is abnormally sustained by the prolongation i".

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application, to the specic apparatus described above for illustration. I believe myself to be the first to conceive the manner in which the very beautiful refinement of the singing` tone effect can be reproduced upon a mechanical instrument, and the first to devise means to that end.

Claims:

1. A note sheet for automatic musical instruments comprising a succession of groups of note-sounding perforations including perforations for sounding theme notes and accompaniment notes respectively; supplemental sustaining perforations for sustaining through substantially the duration of a group accompaniment notes sounded in said group, a selected accompaniment-note perforation of said group being abnormally ,ex-

tended to prolong the note thereof into a second group; and supplemental sustaining perforations to sustain notes of said second group and to sustain also, as a part of the harmony of said vsecond group, the note of said abnormally extended perforation.

2. A note sheet for automatic musical instruments comprising a succession of groups of note-sounding perforations; including perforations for sounding theme notes and accompaniment knotes respectively; means for Vabnormally sustaining the accompaniment harmony within a group; and means for abnormally extending from said group into the next following group those accompaniment notes which are in harmony with those of said next group, while terminating those accompaniment notes of the first group which would be discordant with the accompaniment harmony of said next group.

3. A note sheet for automatic musical instruments comprising a succession of groups of note-sounding perforations; means for abnormally sustaining notes within a group;

with the harmony of said next group.

4. A note sheet for automatic musical instruments comprising a succession of groups of note-sounding perforations including perforations for sounding theme notes and accompaniment notes respectively; supplemental sustaining perforations for abnormally sustaining accompaniment notes of a group, a plurality o-f selected accompaniment-note perforations of said group being abnormally extended to prolong the4 harmony thereof into a second group; and supplemental sustaining perforations to sustain notes of said second group together with the notes of said abnormally extended perforations.

5. A note sheet for automatic musical instruments comprising a succession of groups of note-sounding perforations; supplemental sustaining perforations for abnormally sustaining notes of a group, a plurality of selected note-sounding perforations of said group being abnormally extended to prolong the harmony thereof into a second group and supplemental sustaining perforations to sustain notes of said second group together with the notes of said abnormally extended perforations.

6. A note sheet for automatic musical instruments comprising perforations for sounding theme notes and accompaniment notes respectively, certain selected accompaniment note perforations being abnormally extended to contribute a singing tone effect; and perforations for controlling auxiliary note sustaining means abnormally to sustain other non-selected accompaniment notes.

7 A note sheet for automatic musical instruments comprising perfor-ations for sounding theme notes and accompaniment notes respectively, certain selected accompaniment note perforations being abnormally extended to contribute a singing tone eect; and longitudinally extending indications on the note sheet to denote the inauguration and maintenance of operation of auxiliary tone sustaining means to further contribute a singing tone effect.

8. A note sheet for yautomatic musical instruments comprising a succession of groups of note sounding perforations; longitudinally extending indications on the note sheet to denote the inauguration and maintenance of operation of auxiliary means for abnormally sustaining the notes of a group; a plurality of selected note sounding perforations of said group being abnormally extended to prolong the harmony thereof into a second group, and further longitudinally extending indications on the note sheet to denote the inauguration and maintenance of opeartion of auxiliary note sustaining means to sustain notes of said second group together with the notes of said abnormally extended perforations.

9. A note sheet for automatic musical instruments comprising perforations for sounding theme notes and accompaninment notes respectively, certain selected accompaniment note perforations being abnormally extended to contribute a singingctone effect; and perforations for controlling auxiliary note sustaining means to cause said selected accompaniment notes to be sustained after their abnormally extended perforations have terminated.

10. A note sheet for automatic musical instruments comprising perforations for sounding theme notes and accompaniment notes respectively, certain selected accompaniment note perforations being abnormally extended to contribute a singing tone effect.

11. A note sheet for automatic musical instruments having note sounding mechanism, comprising perforations for controlling the sounding of notes by the note sounding mechanism and for abnormally sustaining selected notes to contribute a singing tone effect.

12. A note sheet for automatic musical instruments having note sounding mechanism,

comprising perforations for controlling the sounding of notes by the note sounding mechanism and for abnormally sustaining individual selected notes to contribute a singing tone effect.

13. In a note sheet for automatic musical instruments having note sounding mechanism, note perforations to sound their notes for their respective duration in the composition to be played; automatic means for abnormally sustaining a plurality of selected notes; and abnormally prolonged Selected note perforations to sustain their notes after said automatic controlling means has ceased to operatie.

14. A note sheet for automatic musical instruments comprising a succession of groups of note sounding perforations including perforations for sounding theme notes and accompaniment notes, respectively; a su plemental sustaining perforation for agnormally sustaining Within a group a plurality of notes sounded in said group; and a selected note perforation of said group abnormally extended to prolong its note into a second group.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specication, in the presence of f two subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES F. STODDARD. Witnesses:

YL. J. KELLEY,

A. P. CONRADT.

l Copies of this patent may be obtained for nve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

